Split-level townhouse

ABSTRACT

Two embodiments of split-level townhouses are constructed from a very small number of pre-formed, load bearing members, that form walls and ceilings, as well as a few preformed identical stair sections. In one embodiment, three rectangular slabs and a further hexagonal slab, having only right angled corners, are combined with the stair sections to form a townhouse having a total of six levels, thirty load bearing members and four stair sections. In a second embodiment, one additional hexagonal slab, having only right angled corners, is employed in connection with the other slabs and stair sections, whereby a townhouse having a total of five levels is fabricated from a total of 23 load bearing members and three stair sections.

United States Patent [1 1 Tylius SPLIT-LEVEL TOWNHOUSE [75] Inventor: Adolfo Tylius, Washington, DC.

[73] Assignee: Alvic Development Corporation,

Washington, DC.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1974 211 App]. No.: 470,743

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS OReilly 52/236 Tylius 52/79 [4 1 May 20, 1975 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or FirmLowe, King & Price 5 7 ABSTRACT Two embodiments of split-level townhouses are constructed from a very small number of pre-formed, load bearing members, that form walls and ceilings, as well as a few preformed identical stair sections. In one embodiment, three rectangular slabs and a further hexagonal slab, having only right angled corners, are combined with the stair sections to form a townhouse having a total of six levels, thirty load bearing members and four stair sections. In a second embodiment, one additional hexagonal slab, having only right angled corners, is employed in connection with the other slabs and stair sections, whereby a townhouse having a total of five levels is fabricated from a total of 23 load bearing members and three stair sections,

7 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAY 2 0 I375 SHEH C10? 10 PATENTEB HAY 2 0 I975 SHEEI 02 0F 10 PATENTED M20197? SHEET CQUF 10 PAIEfl-linmaoirs 3 884. 001

sum 050510 BEDROOM GARAGE FIG /5 BEDROOM BEDROOM LIVING RM.

ENTRANCE FIG [6 PATENTED "M20 I975 SHEEI l0 BF 10 FIG 26 SPLIT-LEVEL TOWNHOUSE FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates generally to prefabricated housing, and more particularly to a townhouse fabricated from a relatively small number of load bearing, pre-formed slabs and pre-formed staircases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In my US. Pat. No. 3.656.266 there is disclosed a split-level townhouse fabricated from a relatively small number (16) of different types of prefabricated, load bearing members. In certain instances, however, the townhouse disclosed in my prior patent has a relatively large distance between the sidewalls of the townhouse. In many instances, where a minimum amount of frontage is available, it is desired to provide townhouses that have sidewalls with a separation on the order of feet. With my prior and most presently available townhouses, such a minimum distance is not usually attainable.

Present townhouse construction generally utilizes conventional building techniques, rather than preformed techniques. However, it is desirable to pre-form as many load bearing members as possible at a site removed from the building site, so that highly trained carpenters need not be employed at the building site. Of course, it is desirable for the pre-formed elements to be easily shipped, such as on flat cars or flat bed trucks. To this end. slab type load bearing elements, rather than so-called modular units are preferable. The slab type units are, however, easily assembled on site by relatively unskilled personnel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, splitlevel townhouses requiring a minimum amount of space between sidewalls are fabricated from a relatively small number (four or five) of different types of planar, preformed load bearing slabs and one type of pre-formed stairway. In one embodiment, a townhouse having a total of six levels is fabricated from four different types of simple, inexpensive planar, pre-formed, load bearing slabs, three of which have a rectangular configuration. The remaining slab has a hexagonal configuration, such that all of its corners are right angles. In another embodiment, a townhouse having five levels is fabricated from the same four basic planar slabs, as well as an additional hexagonal slab having only right angled corners, and a number of staircase units. The hexagonal slabs are arranged so that a staircase well is located midway between the front and rear edges of the townhouse, as is a centrally located duct shaft which runs alongside of the staircase well. By locating the staircase well in the center of the townhouse, it is possible to provide a relatively small separation between the sidewalls of the townhouse; in a preferred embodiment, the exterior edges of the sidewalls are separated by only 15 feet.

In accordance with preferred floor plans, all rooms having plumbing requirements, i.e., the kitchen and all bathrooms, have a common wall with the duct shaft, which is also aligned with mechanical equipment, such as the furnace, air conditioner, and hot water heater. Also, heavy appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, can be located on a wall that is common to or in very close proximity to the duct shaft. The duct shaft runs vertically through the length of the townhouse, thereby enabling vents to extend through the roof of the structure. The preferred floor plan also is arranged so that the number of bathrooms is always one less than the number of bedrooms, whereby for a townhouse having three bedrooms, two bathrooms are provided. In addition, a powder room easily accessible to the living room is provided in both embodiments.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved split-level townhouse fabricated from an exceptionally small number of different types of pre-formed, load bearing planar slab members.

It is another object of the invention to provide a splitlevel townhouse fabricated from a relatively small number of pre-formed, load bearing members, wherein the townhouse uses only a relatively small front foot length.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved split-level townhouse fabricated from a relatively small number of load bearing, pre-formed members, including slabs arranged so that a centrally located duct shaft and a centrally located stairwell are provided.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved split-level townhouse fabricated from a relatively small number of pre-formed, load bearing members and pre-formed stair sections, wherein the townhouse is adapted to have a floor plan whereby bathrooms and kitchens have common walls with a duct shaft formed between the slab edges.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved split-level townhouse fabricated from a relatively small number of pre-formed, load bearing members that are easily transported from a manufacturing site to a building site and have dimensions and weight enabling them to be easily handled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved split-level townhouse formed from a relatively small number of pre-formed, load bearing members which can be interconnected to provide a duct shaft with walls abutting a plurality of bathrooms, the number of which is always one less than the number of bedrooms included in the townhouse.

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of several specific embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1 and 2 are plan views of rectangular slabs utilized as load bearing walls of two split-level townhouse embodiments particularly disclosed; I

FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views of slabs used as load bearing ceiling members in the two townhouses;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a half story load bearing stair section used in the two townhouses;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a load bearing ceiling slab utilized in one of the townhouses;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are respectively plan views of ground floor framing, second floor framing and roof framing of a split-level townhouse having as its only load bearing members the slabs of FIGS. 1-4 and the staircase of FIG. 5.

FIGS. and 11 are side-sectional views of the townhouse illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, respectively taken through the lines 10-10 and 11l1;

FIGS. 12-14 are respectively floor plans of the ground floor, first floor, and second floors of the townhouse illustrated by FIGS. 7-11;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are crosssectional views taken through the lines l515 and 16-16 of FIGS. 12-14;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are respectively plan views of the first floor framing, second floor framing, and roof framing of a second embodiment of a split-level townhouse having as its only load bearing members the slabs of FIGS. 1-4 and 6 and the stairway of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are side-sectional views of the townhouse illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, taken through the lines 20-20 and 2121; location, although they may be manufactured at the building location. Each FIGS. 22-24 are respectively floor plans of the basement, first floor and second floor of the townhouse illustrated in FIGS. 17-21; and

FIGS. 25 and 26 are side-sectional views taken through the lines 2525 and 2626 of FIGS. 22-24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-6 wherein there are illustrated the basic members utilized to form the two townhouses of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The planar, load bearing members of FIGS. 1-4 and 6 are frequently referred to herein as slabs. It is to be understood, however, that the slabs are pre-formed, load bearing members that may be manufactured of any suitable material, such as concrete, wood framing, metal or plastic. To provide a specific example of a preferred embodiment for a conventionally sized townhouse, actual dimensions for the slabs and stairs are given; however, it is to be understood that the dimensions may in certain instances be altered, although such alteration may have an adverse effect on ease of transportation and handling of the members.

Each of the load bearing slabs of FIGS. 1-4 and 6 typically has a thickness of approximately 6 to 8 inches and is preferably manufactured at a site remote from the building location. Each of the load bearing slabs is preferably dimensioned and has a weight, enabling it. to be easily transported, on a flat bed truck or the like, and to be easily handled by a relatively small crane.

Rectangular wall slabs 31 and 32 both have a height of 8 feet, 0 inches and respectively have lengths of 18 feet, 6 inches and 14 feet, 0 inches in a preferred embodiment. Each of rectangular, load bearing ceiling slabs 33 has a length of 15 feet, 0 inches, and a width of 9 feet, /2 inch, the same total width as load bearing hexagonal ceiling slab 34. Slab 34 is defined as a right hexagon, since it has six right angled corners and includes two sets of three parallel sides. The sides of the first set are all at right angles to the sides of the second set. Slabs 33 and 34 have the same length which defines the total breadth of the townhouse. The total length of slab 34 includes a pair of parallel edges 35 and 36, respectively having lengths of 7 feet, 10 inches and 7 feet, 2 inches. Edge 37, at right angles to and between parallel edges 35 and 36, has a length of 2 feet, 2 inches, while the remaining edge 38 of slab 34 has a length of 6 feet, 10%. inches.

Right hexagonal load bearing ceiling slab 39, illustrated in FIG. 6, is utilized in only one of the townhouses of the present invention. Ceiling slab 39 has a total length equal to the length of each of slabs 33 and 34 and a total width of 6 feet, l0 /2 inches. The length of slab 39 includes a pair of equal length, 7 foot, 6 inch edges 41 and 42, between which extends edge 43 that has a length of 3 feet, 4 inches. Edge 44, which extends between edges 41 and 45, has a length of 3 feet, 6 /2 inches. Slabs 33, 34 and 39 are referred to as ceiling slabs and, do in fact form the ceilings of different stories of the townhouses. In certain instances, the tops of the ceilings function as floors for other stories of the townhouse. To maintain uniformity of nomenclature, however, slabs 33, 34 and 39 are generally referred to as ceiling slabs.

The only other pre-formed member utilized in the townhouses of the present invention is a stair section 46, illustrated in FIG. 5. Stair section 46 has a vertical extent of one-half a story (4 feet, 4 inches) and a horizontal extent of 5 feet, 2 inches, and includes seven risers 47 and six landings 48. The top riser 47' has a height along its back edge 49 of the ceiling slab so that the top and bottom edges of edge 49 may be aligned with the top and bottom edges of ceiling slabs 34 or 39. Secured to back edge 49 is a right angle channel 51, having a horizontally extending flange 52 that extends away from the remainder of stair section 46 and, in situ, engages the top surface of slabs 34 or 39 in proximity to edges 36 or 42. Secured to the bottom edge 53 of stair case 46 is a further right angle channel 54, having a downwardly depending flange 55 which abuts against a vertical face of slabs 34 or 39 along edges 36 or 42.

The slabs of FIGS. 1-4 are assembled as the sole load bearing members to form the split-level townhouse illustrated by FIGS. 7-16. The manner in which these load bearing members are interconnected with the staircase of FIG. 5 to form the townhouse on a split level foundation 61 is illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. To reduce land costs, foundation 61 may be poured on a lot having sloping or uneven terrain, since the foundation includes two levels 62 and 63 displaced from each other by one-half story. A one-half stair section 64 forms a portion of foundation 61 and has the same dimensions as stair section 46, the center, i.e., fourth, riser of stair section 64 is approximately aligned with center line 68 between the front and rear edges of the townhouse. Stair section 64 is in proximity to the right edge of foundation 61, as viewed from the top, having its right edge running parallel to and spaced from the right edge of the foundation by the 6 inch width of the slabs. Thereby, a wall slab 31 may be placed on level 62 in an air space between the right edge of stair section 64 and any terrain that may be directly to the side of the stair section. To the left of stair section 64 foundation 61 has a vertically extending wall 64' that is aligned with the second highest riser 65 of stair section 64. Cantilevered from wall 65 is an overhanging foundation portion 67 having a vertical edge aligned with center line 68.

The split-level townhouse basically includes two horizontally displaced sections 171 and 172 which are the mirror image of each other relative to center line 68. Sections 171 and 172 are respectively built on foundation levels 62 and 63, with adjacent floors of the two sections being displaced from each other by one-half a story. Each of sections 171 and 172 includes three stories. Except for the ceiling of the highest story of section 172, the ceilings of all stories of both sections are formed by one slab 33 and one slab 34 which have adjacent, abutting parallel edges 71 and 72 that extend across the breadth of the townhouse and are connected together in load bearing relationship on the site; and conventional connecting means, e.g., bolts, can be used to connect the various load bearing members together. A further edge 73 of slab 33, parallel to edges 71 and 72', extends along the exterior of the townhouse in alignment with the front and rear edges 69 and 70 of the townhouse, while edge 35 of slab 34 is slightly displaced from center line 68. The top ceiling of section 172 consists of a pair of slabs 33 having abutting interconnected parallel edges 71'.

Slabs 34 are utilized in two different positions in conjunction with the townhouse sections 171 and 172. In section 171, slab 34 is positioned so that edge 44 is along the left edge of the building, whereby edge 36 extends parallel to the front of the building from the center of the building to its right edge. When the slab 34 is utilized in conjunction with section 172, its position is inverted (as shown in FIG. 4), whereby edge 44 is again aligned with the left edge of the building and edge 36 extends parallel to the rear of the building from center line 68 to the right edge of the townhouse. The edges of all of the ceiling slabs of section 171 are aligned with each other, as are the edges of the ceiling slabs in section 172.

To form a vent shaft and stairwell, slabs 34 of the two sections are positioned so that the edges 35 thereof are horizontally displaced by ten inches, leaving a ten inch wide rectangular shaft from the left load bearing exterior wall slab 31 of the townhouse inwardly completely along edge 35, i.e., for a length of 7 feet, 10 inches. Edges 36 of the two sections are displaced from each other by the length of stair section 46, i.e., 5 feet, 2 inches.

Stair sections 46 are positioned so they bear against the vertical face of edge 42 and the upper face of slab 34 by respectively fixedly securing flanges 54 and 52 in situ to these faces. Stair sections 46 have a width equal to one-half of the length of edge 36 so that they can be alternately positioned between the different stories of the two sections of the townhouse.

While stair sections 46 assist in bearing the load of a portion of slabs 34, the slabs 33 and 34 are also held in situ by load bearing, exterior walls 31 and 32. Wall 32 extends almost across the breadth of the townhouse, in alignment with foundation walls 69 and 70. One of walls 32 is provided for each story of each of sections 171 and 172. Walls 32 may be provided with appropriate rectangular or other types of cut-out regions in which are located windows and doors, as required. The parallel exterior sidewalls of each of sections 171 and 172 are formed from wall slabs 31, which have a total length equal to one-half of the 37 foot length of the townhouse. Thereby, each of walls 31 extends from either a front edge 69 or a rear edge 70 of the townhouse to center line 68. The ceiling slabs 33 and 34 bear against and are secured to the top, horizontally extending edges of wall slabs 31 and 32.

Aside from the foundation, the only load bearing members of the townhouse of FIGS. 7-11 are the five basic structural members of FIGS. 1-5. The townhouse includes twelve wall slabs 31, six wall slabs 32, seven ceiling slabs 33, five ceiling slabs 34, and four stair sections 46. No other structural components are required to fabricate the townhouse which includes six separate levels and an interior floor space of approximately 1512 square feet on a building site of 555 square feet.

The townhouse of FIGS. 7-11 has certain exposed surfaces that are covered by non-load bearing, facing members which are attached in a conventional manner to the load bearing structures.

A preferred floor plan for the townhouse of FIGS. 7-11 is illustrated in FIGS. 12-16. From the ground floor plan of FIG. 12, it is noted that an entrance hallway and garage are provided on foundation level 62 and that access to a living room on foundation level 63 is by way of the foundation staircase 64, as well as by way of a door provided in a cutout region of wall 32 which extends from level 63.

A vent or duct shaft 71 is provided in the ten inch gap between adjacent edges 35 of ceiling slabs 34. Duct shaft 71 extends from foundation level 63 entirely to the top of the townhouse and thereby provides space for running suitable electrical and plumbing lines, as well as vent pipes to the exterior of the townhouse. All rooms requiring plumbing and heavy electrical wiring are located in direct proximity to vent shaft 71. In particular, powder room 72, on foundation level 63, kitchen 73 on the first story above foundation level 62, and baths 74 and 75 on the upper stories of the splitlevel sections 171 and 172 have common walls with duct shaft 71. In addition, room 76, on the second story of section 172, has a common wall with duct shaft 71 and is utilized as a laundry room and as a central area for storing mechanical equipment, such as a furnace, hot water heater and air conditioner. Typically, the mechanical equipment is located in equipment room 76, an arrangement that minimizes space requirements and the distance lines must run to electrical and plumbing appliances in the house The townhouse of FIGS. 12-16 includes three bedrooms, each on a separate story to provide privacy, as well as two bathrooms. If desired, the arrangement could be enlarged so that if additional stories were added the number of bathrooms is always one less than the number of bedrooms, without introducing any mechanical problems. All the interior walls of the townhouse of FIGS. 12-16 are non-load bearing, typically 4 inch thick walls which may be assembled on site by relatively inexperienced mechanics since these walls are not required for structural integrity.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, all five slabs 31-34 and 39, as well as staircase 46, are employed as the sole load bearing members of a split-level townhouse, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-21. In the townhouse of FIGS. 17-21, split-level foundation levels 81 and 82 and staircase 83 are built on site. In addition, walls 84 and 85, extending from foundation level 82 for a height of one story from rear edge 84 to the center line 87 of the townhouse, are built on site. Foundation walls 84 and 85 may extend past center line 87 at the height of level 81. Walls 84 and 85 may be built on site utilizing conventional concrete or cinder block building techniques. The foundation is built so that staircase 83 is bisected by center line 87 and rear and front edges 86 and 88 of the townhouse are equidistant from the center line.

To the left of foundation staircase 83, foundation wall 91 is provided. Foundation wall 91 runs longitudinally of the townhouse, parallel to foundation walls 84 and 85, and is spaced to the left of wall 84 so that its right edge is 6 feet, 8 inches from the interior edge of wall 84. Wall 91 extends longitudinally of the townhouse slightly beyond the front edge of the upper riser of staircase 83 and considerably beyond the front edge of the lowest riser of staircase 83 so that one of the edges of wall 91 is feet, 6 inches from the front edge 88 of the townhouse, while the other edge of wall 91 is 12 feet, 4 inches from rear edge 86 of the townhouse. The last 2 feet, 8 inches of wall 91 that extends toward edge 86 is cantilevered, but functions as a load bearing member. A further foundation wall 92 extends at right angles between foundation walls 85 and 91. Wall 92 is longitudinally positioned slightly beyond the lowest riser of foundation staircase 83 toward edge 86, at the intersection of the cantilevered portion of wall 91 and the remainder of wall 91.

The townhouse of FIGS. 17-21 includes two sections 181 and 182 similar to sections 171 and 172 ofthe previously discussed embodiment, but section 181 includes two stories above level 81, while section 182 includes three stories above level 82. Each story of section 181 is constructed in the same manner as each story of section 171 in the townhouse of FIGS. 7-11. The highest story of section 182 of the townhouse of FIGS. 17-21 is constructed identically to the highest story of section 172 of the embodiment of FIGS. 17-11.

However, the level of the townhouse of FIGS. 17-21 on one story above level 82 has a different construction and employs slab 39, FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 17, slab 39 is positioned so that its edge 45 abuts against an edge of slab 33 that extends across the breadth of the townhouse. Edge 42 of slab 39 functions identically to edge 36 of slab 34, i.e., to engage flanges 52 and 55 of the staircase sections 46 extending downwardly and upwardly from the upper surface of slab 39. In this connection, it is noted that the separation between edges 42 and 45 of slab 39 is the same as the length of edge 38 of slab 34. However, the intermediate story of section 182 differs from that of section 172 since slab 39 is used instead of slab 34 to provide sufficient space for a kitchen on foundation level 81 and a gap for a duct shaft behind the kitchen to the story immediately above foundation level 82.

Edge 41 of slab 39 is positioned I foot, 8 inches from the edge of foundation wall 92 that is closest to edge 86 of the townhouse. Thereby, a rectangular gap is provided between edge 41 and wall 92 to enable a duct vent to extend through the ceiling of the first story above level 82 into the story on which foundation level 82 is located. An additional duct is also provided along center line 87 between the adjacent edges 35 of slabs 34, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-16.

A preferred floor plan for the townhouse illustrated by FIGS. 17-21 is illustrated in FIGS. 22-26. From FIGS. 22-26, it is noted that a living room, dining area and kitchen are all provided on foundation level 81, where the main entrance is located. Bedrooms are located on the stories above level 81, with one bedroom being located in section 181 immediately above level 81, and the other bedrooms being located in townhouse section 182 above foundation level 82. Bathrooms are provided on the two uppermost stories and a powder room is located on level 82. Thereby, (N-1) bathrooms are provided for the N bedrooms of the townhouse. If the townhouse is extended upwardly, the number of bathrooms is continuously increased so that it remains one less than the number of bedrooms.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, mechanical equipment is located to the left of the staircase 46 in crawl space 91 that extends between the two uppermost stories of the townhouse. Crawl space 91 occupies a space of onehalf story, and access to it is gained through door 92. To provide a ceiling for the kitchen immediately below crawl space 91 and a floor for the crawl space, a nonload bearing planar member 93 is suspended from the ceiling of the second story of section 182 by suitable hangers, not shown.

Electrical and mechanical connections from the equipment included in crawl space 91 to the two bathrooms is provided through vertically extending duct 94 that extends into crawl space 91 along the side of the crawl space closest to edge 88. Duct 94 has common walls with the walls of the two bathrooms, and can provide access to the outside of the townhouse through sloping, non-bearing facing member 95. Duct 94 extends upwardly from crawl space 91 in the gap between adjacent edges 35 of slabs 34 through the ceilings of the two upper stories of the two sections of the townhouse.

To provide mechanical and electrical connections to the kitchen on level 81 and washer and dryer appliances on level 82, a downwardly depending duct 96 is provided. Duct 96 extends from the edge of crawl space 91 closest to edge 86 of the townhouse and extends through the space between edge 41 of slab 39 and an edge foundation wall 92. By providing slab 39 that has a wall 41 set back from edge 42, rather than extending from the edge, as edge 35 extends from edge 36 of slab 34, adequate room is provided for duct 96 and the kitchen of the townhouse of FIGS. 22-26 has an attractive size.

The townhouse of FIGS. 17-26 is fabricated from a total of eight load bearing walls 31, five load bearing walls 32, six load bearing slabs 33, three load bearing slabs 34, one load bearing slab 39, and three load bearing stairs 46. Thereby, a total of 23 load bearing elements is employed to fabricate a complete split-level townhouse having five separate levels with three bedrooms, two baths, and a powder room. The townhouse has a total interior area of 1,291 square feet and occupies a total lot area of 555 square feet, requiring a width of only 15 feet. The minimum width size is attained, inter alia, by locating the staircases midway between the front and rear edges of the townhouse, and alongside one edge thereof.

While there have been described and illustrated several specific embodiments of the invention, it will be clear that variations in the details of the embodiments specifically illustrated and described may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, wider townhouses can be provided by duplicating the arrangement by a sidewise expansion. Also, a sundeck can be provided on the upper surfaces of the ceiling slabs of the top stories of sections 171 and 181 by replacing the ceiling slabs 33 closest to center lines 68 and 87 of the highest storyof sections 172 and 182 with ceiling slabs 34 and by providing a stair section 46 between the next highest ceiling of sections 172 and 182 and the highest ceiling of sections 171 and 181. Such a replacement provides sufficient space for the stair sections and insertion of a door to the sundeck. Also, in certain instances it may be desirable to erect a splitlevel townhouse of the invention on a flat lot and provide the living room on the first floor of sections 171 or 181 with a cathedral ceiling that is one and one-half stories above the floor level ofthe living room. The floor level of sections 172 or 182 in such an instance would be coplanar with the floor level of sections 171 or 181. A further possible modification involves positioning stair sections 46 at right angles to side walls 31, in which case the distance between edges 35 and 36 is increased to enable the stair section to fit therein. This modification, however, is not nearly as efficient regarding space utilization as that described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiments.

What is claimed is:

1. A split-level townhouse formed of a relatively small number of pre-formed load bearing slabs on a split-level foundation, said slabs comprising: a plurality of first rectangular wall slabs each having a first set of dimensions, a plurality of second rectangular wall slabs having a second set of dimensions, each of said wall slabs having a height of approximately one story, a plurality of third rectangular ceiling slabs having a third set of dimensions, and a plurality of fourth right hexagonal ceiling slabs, each of said ceiling slabs having approximately the same length equal to the breadth of the townhouse between adjacent ones of said first rectangular wall slabs, a plurality of one-half story stair sections, said townhouse comprising: a first section built up from one level of the foundation, a second section built up from a second level of the foundation said first and second sections each including a plurality of ceilings formed from the ceiling slabs, adjacent ceilings of the first and second sections being vertically displaced one-half story from each other, the ceilings of at least all but two of the stories of the first and second sections including only one of the third slabs and only one of the fourth slabs, said third and fourth slabs of each ceiling having abutting first and second interconnected parallel edges extending across the breadth of the section between parallel first wall slabs forming sidewalls of the section, said second wall slabs forming exterior walls of each story of each section at right angles to the sidewalls, each of the fourth slabs having third and fourth edges parallel to each other and each of the first and second edges, each of the third and fourth slabs of both sections having parallel side edges aligned with each other and the first sidewall slabs, said fourth edges being displaced from the second edges by a distance less than the third edges, said fourth edges of the fourth slabs of the two sections being parallel to and displaced from each other by an extent sufficient to form a stairwell running between the two sections, the third edges of the fourth slabs being displaced from each other by a distance sufficient to form a vent shaft running between the two sections, and one of said stair sections being interconnected between the fourth edges of the different fourth slabs of adjacent different stories of the first and second sections.

2. The townhouse of claim 1 further including an area for storing mechanical equipment on a story above the foundation level, said area having a common, non load bearing wall with the vent shaft.

3. The townhouse of claim 2 wherein the townhouse includes a kitchen a plurality of bathrooms, said kitchen and bathrooms having common, non-load bearing walls with said vent shaft.

4. The townhouse of claim 3 further including a fifth right hexagonal ceiling slab having dimensions different from the fourth ceiling slab, said fifth slab having fifth and sixth parallel edges displaced from each other by the same distance as the second and fourth edges, said fifth slab having a length equal to the length of each of the third and fourth slabs, said fifth slab having a seventh edge spaced from the fifth edge by less than the sixth edge, said fifth slab forming a portion of the ceiling of the first story of one of the sections and extending across the breadth of the section, said fifth edge being connected to and abutting the first edge of a third ceiling slab to form the ceiling for the first story of the first section, one of said load bearing stair sections being connected to the sixth edge, the separation between the fifth and seventh edges being sufficient to enable adequate room to be provided for a kitchen on the foundation level of the second section and for a second vent shaft to extend from the equipment area to the kitchen and the story immediately above the foundation level of the first section, said first named and second vent shafts being horizontally displaced from each other.

5. The townhouse of claim 4 wherein the equipment area includes a non-load bearing planar member for supporting the equipment, said non-load bearing member being suspended downwardly from the fourth ceiling slab of the second story of the first section.

6. The townhouse of claim It further including a fifth right hexagonal ceiling slab having dimensions different from the fourth ceiling slab, said fifth slab having fifth and sixth parallel edges displaced from each other by the same distance as the second and fourth edges, said fifth slab having a length equal to the length of each of the third and fourth slabs, said fifth slab having a seventh edge spaced from the fifth edge by less than the sixth edge, said fifth slab forming a portion of the ceiling of the first story of one of the sections and extending across the breadth of the section, said fifth edge being connected to and abutting the first edge of a third ceiling slab to form the ceiling for the first story of the first section, one of said load bearing stair sections being connected to the sixth edge, the separation between the fifth and seventh edges being sufficient to enable adequate room to be provided for a kitchen on the foundation level of the second section.

7. A split-level townhouse formed of a relatively small number of pre-formed load bearing slabs on a foundation, said slabs comprising: a plurality of first rectangular wall slab each having a first set of dimensions, a plurality of second rectangular wall slabs having a second set of dimensions, each of said wall slabs having a height of approximately one story, a plurality of third rectangular ceiling slabs having a third set of dimensions, and a plurality of fourth right hexagonal ceiling slabs, each of said ceiling slabs having approximately the same length equal to the breadth of the townhouse between adjacent ones of said first rectangular wall slabs, a plurality of one-half story stair sections, said townhouse comprising: a first section built up from one portion of the foundation, a second section built up from a second portion of the foundation, said first and second sections each including a plurality of ceilings formed from the ceiling slabs, adjacent ceilings of the first and second sections being vertically displaced one-half story from each other, the ceilings of at least all but two of the stories of the first and second sections including only one of the third slabs and only one of the fourth slabs, said third and fourth slabs of each ceiling having abutting first and second interconfourth edges being displaced from the second edges by a distance less than the third edges, said fourth edges of the fourth slabs of the two sections being parallel to and displaced from each other by an extent sufficient to form a stairwell running between the two sections, and one of said stair sections being interconnected between adjacent different stories of the first and second sections. 

1. A split-level townhouse formed of a relatively small number of pre-formed load bearing slabs on a split-level foundation, said slabs comprising: a plurality of first rectangular wall slabs each having a first set of dimensions, a plurality of second rectangular wall slabs having a second set of dimensions, each of said wall slabs having a height of approximately one story, a plurality of third rectangular ceiling slabs having a third set of dimensions, and a plurality of fourth right hexagonal ceiling slabs, each of said ceiling slabs having approximately the same length equal to the breadth of the townhouse between adjacent ones of said first rectangular wall slabs, a plurality of one-half story stair sections, said townhouse comprising: a first section built up from one level of the foundation, a second section built up from a second level of the foundation said first and second sections each including a plurality of ceilings formed from the ceiling slabs, adjacent ceilings of the first and second sections being vertically displaced one-half story from each other, the ceilings of at least all but two of the stories of the first and second sections including only one of the third slabs and only one of the fourth slabs, said third and fourth slabs of each ceiling having abutting first and second interconnected parallel edges extending across the breadth of the section between parallel first wall slabs forming sidewalls of the section, said second wall slabs forming exterior walls of each story of each section at right angles to the sidewalls, each of the fourth slabs having third and fourth edges parallel to each other and each of the first and second edges, each of the third and fourth slabs of both sections having parallel side edges aligned with each other and the first sidewall slabs, said fourth edges being displaced from the second edges by a distance less than the third edges, said fourth edges of the fourth slabs of the two sections being parallel to and displaced from each other by an extent sufficient to form a stairwell running between the two sections, the third edges of the fourth slabs being displaced from each otHer by a distance sufficient to form a vent shaft running between the two sections, and one of said stair sections being interconnected between the fourth edges of the different fourth slabs of adjacent different stories of the first and second sections.
 2. The townhouse of claim 1 further including an area for storing mechanical equipment on a story above the foundation level, said area having a common, non-load bearing wall with the vent shaft.
 3. The townhouse of claim 2 wherein the townhouse includes a kitchen a plurality of bathrooms, said kitchen and bathrooms having common, non-load bearing walls with said vent shaft.
 4. The townhouse of claim 3 further including a fifth right hexagonal ceiling slab having dimensions different from the fourth ceiling slab, said fifth slab having fifth and sixth parallel edges displaced from each other by the same distance as the second and fourth edges, said fifth slab having a length equal to the length of each of the third and fourth slabs, said fifth slab having a seventh edge spaced from the fifth edge by less than the sixth edge, said fifth slab forming a portion of the ceiling of the first story of one of the sections and extending across the breadth of the section, said fifth edge being connected to and abutting the first edge of a third ceiling slab to form the ceiling for the first story of the first section, one of said load bearing stair sections being connected to the sixth edge, the separation between the fifth and seventh edges being sufficient to enable adequate room to be provided for a kitchen on the foundation level of the second section and for a second vent shaft to extend from the equipment area to the kitchen and the story immediately above the foundation level of the first section, said first named and second vent shafts being horizontally displaced from each other.
 5. The townhouse of claim 4 wherein the equipment area includes a non-load bearing planar member for supporting the equipment, said non-load bearing member being suspended downwardly from the fourth ceiling slab of the second story of the first section.
 6. The townhouse of claim 1 further including a fifth right hexagonal ceiling slab having dimensions different from the fourth ceiling slab, said fifth slab having fifth and sixth parallel edges displaced from each other by the same distance as the second and fourth edges, said fifth slab having a length equal to the length of each of the third and fourth slabs, said fifth slab having a seventh edge spaced from the fifth edge by less than the sixth edge, said fifth slab forming a portion of the ceiling of the first story of one of the sections and extending across the breadth of the section, said fifth edge being connected to and abutting the first edge of a third ceiling slab to form the ceiling for the first story of the first section, one of said load bearing stair sections being connected to the sixth edge, the separation between the fifth and seventh edges being sufficient to enable adequate room to be provided for a kitchen on the foundation level of the second section.
 7. A split-level townhouse formed of a relatively small number of pre-formed load bearing slabs on a foundation, said slabs comprising: a plurality of first rectangular wall slab each having a first set of dimensions, a plurality of second rectangular wall slabs having a second set of dimensions, each of said wall slabs having a height of approximately one story, a plurality of third rectangular ceiling slabs having a third set of dimensions, and a plurality of fourth right hexagonal ceiling slabs, each of said ceiling slabs having approximately the same length equal to the breadth of the townhouse between adjacent ones of said first rectangular wall slabs, a plurality of one-half story stair sections, said townhouse comprising: a first section built up from one portion of the foundation, a second section built up from a second portion of the foundation, said first and second sections each including a plurality Of ceilings formed from the ceiling slabs, adjacent ceilings of the first and second sections being vertically displaced one-half story from each other, the ceilings of at least all but two of the stories of the first and second sections including only one of the third slabs and only one of the fourth slabs, said third and fourth slabs of each ceiling having abutting first and second interconnected parallel edges extending across the breadth of the section between parallel first wall slabs forming sidewalls of the section, said second wall slabs forming exterior walls of each story of each section at right angles to the sidewalls, each of the fourth slabs having third and fourth edges parallel to each other and each of the first and second edges, each of the third and fourth slabs of both sections having parallel side edges aligned with each other and the first sidewall slabs, said fourth edges being displaced from the second edges by a distance less than the third edges, said fourth edges of the fourth slabs of the two sections being parallel to and displaced from each other by an extent sufficient to form a stairwell running between the two sections, and one of said stair sections being interconnected between adjacent different stories of the first and second sections. 